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Abstract:

The present disclosure relates to a system for collecting gait analysis
data for analysis. The system may utilize force plate or balance boards
as well as strain gauge force measurements to improve physical therapy
and gait analysis for patients that use physical supports to walk or
stand. The device measures force applied to the floor and to handrails to
provide data on the patient's use of aid, e.g., the handrail, while
standing or walking For physical therapy implementations, the system may
also be combined with a game or other visual interface that provides
feedback to the patient and/or to the caregiver.

Claims:

1. A method for assessing patient use of support, comprising the acts of:
acquiring a first set of data from one or more balance board or force
plates on which a patient stands or walks; acquiring a second set of data
from one or more handrails positioned such that the patient can reach the
one or more handrails when the patient is on the one or more balance
board or force plates; and assessing the patients reliance on the one or
more handrails for standing or moving using the first set of data and the
second set of data.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising providing physical therapy to the
patient while acquiring the first set of data and the second set of data.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying a game or other visual
feedback to the patient while acquiring the first set of data and the
second set of data.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying a center of balance of
the patient.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising displaying the magnitude and
direction of force applied to each handrail by the patient.

6. A gait analysis system, comprising: one or more balance boards or
force plates disposed within a track housing, wherein the one or more
balance boards or force plates generate force and position data in
response to a person standing or moving on the one or more balance boards
or force plates; and one or more handrails provided within reach of the
one or more balance boards or force plates such that the person standing
or moving on the one or more balance boards or force plates can reach the
one or more handrails, wherein the one or more handrails generate force
and position data in response to contact by the person.

7. The gait analysis system of claim 6, comprising a monitor configured
to display a game or other visual feedback to the person.

8. The gait analysis system of claim 7, wherein the game or other visual
feedback includes an indication of the patient's center of balance.

9. The gait analysis system of claim 7, wherein the game or other visual
feedback includes an indication of the magnitude of force applied by the
patient to each handrail in each of the x-, y-, and z-directions.

10. The gait analysis system of claim 6, wherein the balance boards or
force plates move freely in the x-dimension and y-dimension.

11. The gait analysis system of claim 6, wherein the handrails move
freely in the x-dimension, y-dimension, and z-dimension.

12. The gait analysis system of claim 6, comprising a horizontal force
measurement beam at each edge of the one or more balance boards or force
plates.

13. The gait analysis system of claim 6, comprising one or more
multi-channel data acquisition cards configured to collect the force and
position data from one or both of the one or more handrails or the one or
more balance boards or force plates.

14. The gait analysis system of claim 13, comprising a computer
configured to collect data from the one or more data acquisition cards
and to process the collected data.

15. The gait analysis system of claim 6, wherein the one or more
handrails are composed of a pinwheel orientation of load cells
instrumented to measure in the x-, y-, and z-directions.

16. A system, comprising: one or more floor segments that generate a
two-dimensional measure of force representing the position or movement of
a patient over time with respect to the one or more segments; one or more
handrails that generate a three-dimensional measure of force representing
contact between the patient and the one or more handrails over time; and
a monitor configured to provide visual cues to the patient while the
patient is on the one or more floor segments.

17. The system of claim 16, comprising a computer configured to acquire
and process the two-dimensional measures and the three-dimensional
measures.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the visual cues comprise a game in
which walking or standing without contacting the one or more handrails is
rewarded.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the visual cues comprise a game in
which contacting the one or more handrails is discouraged.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the visual cues comprise one or more
of an indication of a center of balance of the patient or a magnitude and
direction of force applied to the one or more handrails.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/475,096, entitled "DEVICE FOR COLLECTION OF GAIT
ANALYSIS DATA FOR BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BODY EXTREMITIES," and filed Apr.
13, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for
all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to the quantification of
dexterity in people with motor impairment.

[0003] It may be difficult to acquire data related to the use of or
reliance on walking aids by a patient. For example, commercially
available balance therapy systems are not known which collect information
that would indicate a patient's need for, or reliance on, an aid for
balance or walking

SUMMARY

[0004] A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth
below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to
provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and
that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this
disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects
that may not be set forth below.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a system for collecting gait
analysis data for analysis. The system may utilize force plate or balance
boards as well as strain gauge force measurements to improve physical
therapy and gait analysis for patients that use physical supports to walk
or stand. The device measures force applied to the floor and to handrails
to provide data on the patient's use of aid, e.g., the handrail, while
standing or walking For physical therapy implementations, the system may
also be combined with a game or other visual interface that provides
feedback to the patient and/or to the caregiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become better understood when the following detailed
description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 depicts a gait analysis system, in accordance with aspects
of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0008] One or more specific embodiments of the present techniques will be
described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these
embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described
in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of
any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project,
numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the
developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and
business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to
another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development
effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of
ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0009] Further, the calculations, correlations, and/or measurements
discussed herein may be performed using one or more suitable
computer-implemented algorithms, such as may be stored on a
computer-readable memory or medium for execution by a suitable processing
component in communication with the medium or memory. In addition,
previously determined constants or correlations may be stored on the
computer-readable memory or medium and accessed by the processing
component during execution of the algorithms. The processor may also
receive inputs or measurements from a measurement device, such as a
spectrophotometer, or from personnel. Such inputs may be processed used
as inputs to the algorithms during execution of the algorithms. Examples
of devices having suitable processing components, memory components, user
interface circuitry, and/or circuitry for accessing local or remote media
include, but are not limited to, desktop, notebook, and tablet computers,
personal digital assistants, cellular telephones, media players, and so
forth.

[0010] Turning to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a device is disclosed that
combines balance board 3 (such as a Nintendo Wii® balance board) or
force plate technology and strain gauge force measurement to improve
physical therapy and gait analysis for patients who require physical
supports to walk or stand. The device measures the forces applied to the
floor and handrails of the device and can compare these measurements to
each other or to previous test results. These comparisons provide
visibility to a patient's progress and can increase the overall
effectiveness of physical therapies.

[0011] Track Layout: The walking track, in one implementation, uses a
combination of measurement from the strain gauge force measurement
technology associated with a balance board 3 and other bending beam
strain gauges. For example, in one implementation, five Wii® balance
boards 3 may be set into the floor track housing beneath durable,
sectioned, and color-coded plastic paneling. In one implementation, the
balance boards 3 are set on tracks to allow free motion in the x- and
y-directions (z-direction is perpendicular to the horizontal plane).
Beneath each board 3 is a horizontal force measurement beam at each edge
of the board 3. In another implementation, feet instrumented with gauges
may be placed underneath the balance boards 3 to measure shear forces. In
certain of these embodiments, the boards 3 are stationary.

[0012] Track Casing: The walking track may be housed in a plywood or
eucaboard rectangular box. In one implementation, any flat, relatively
lightweight board (such as board about 1/4'' in thickness) could be used.
In one embodiment, the housing for three National Instruments® 9219
DAQ cards is located at one end of the track casing. Each of the four
channels on the 9219 DAQ cards collects data from each of the four
handles in the x-, y-, or z-direction. The DAQ cards are connected to a
PC 4 running a stand-alone Virtual Instrument, created using National
Instruments LabVIEW 2009. This stand alone Virtual Instrument collects
and appropriately manipulates signals to provide the overall force
applied to each handrail in each of the x-, y-, and z-directions. The
connection/supports for the handrails are affixed on the outside vertical
+x and -x walls of the casing. In other contemplated approaches, a load
cell circuit with its own power supply, PC connection, and filter may be
employed in place of an all-purpose DAQ card.

[0013] Handrails: In one implementation, the device includes a set of two
handrails, which run lengthwise along the balance board walkway. The
handrails, in one embodiment, have an outer diameter of 1.25'' and may be
constructed from materials used in hospital grade patient handrails. The
sensors 1 for handrail forces are located at either end of the walkway on
both handrails. Handrail sensors 1 may be composed of a pinwheel
orientation of load cells, instrumented to measure in the x-, y-, and
z-directions, and affixed inside the sensor housing.

[0014] Monitors and Video Interface: A monitor 5 for the device is used to
show the display from a desktop PC 4, or other connected computer or
electronic device. Additional monitors 5 can be added to simultaneously
display the diagnostic interface for doctors and therapists and any video
game display for the patient. The balance boards 3 collect data on the
user's center of balance as they move along the track. This progress is
plotted on the diagnostic interface, so that the patient can see on the
screen a map depicting where his or her center of balance is on the
walkway. In one embodiment, a circle representing each of the two
handrails will be located next to both color and numeric indicators;
these indicators will display the magnitude of force the patient is
applying to each rail in each of the x-, y-, and z-directions. In other
embodiments, indicators (circular or otherwise) may be provide, one of
which indicates positive forces, another of which indicates negative
forces.

[0015] The present device is intended to be used in a gait analysis lab
and/or physical therapy lab. The device will provide engaging and
entertaining physical therapy game play sessions for a suitable time
period, such as for twenty minutes or more. Such a session may involve
asking the patient to balance in place, walk the track, and walk the
track and turn around. Game play may encourage a patient to work towards
walking or standing on his own by subtracting from game success when the
handrail supports are used.

[0016] The device can also serve as a controller for a gaming system or
environment. In particular, the present device incorporate handrails with
balance based gaming. This element of handrails adds both new
possibilities for games and the opportunity for unimpaired children to
participate in a part of a sibling's or friend's recovery process.

[0017] One feature of the present disclosure is the use of instrumented
walking aids to collect data on a patient's use of aid. Other
instrumented aid devices, such as instrumented stair handrails have not
been incorporated in commercially available balance therapy systems to
collect this kind of data. This device will be able to show doctors,
therapists and patients how and how-much the patient relies on walking
aids, which will allow better administration of physical therapy
techniques. The data will help determine which activities and motions the
patient has trouble with so that physical therapy can be further
customized.

[0018] Involving video games in physical therapy techniques may be useful
for increasing patient's interest in the therapy. The special challenges
for patients who cannot stand, walk, or turn about on their own have
previously been a barrier to video game balance therapy. The present
device may overcome this barrier by providing both support integrated
with the gaming system, so that balance challenged patients can use the
device safely, as well as quantifying data on the patient's progress
toward independent balance. In addition, this device uses signals routed
through a PC 4, so that new games can be easily created for it.

[0019] In one specific implementation, the device is made by first
constructing a wooden housing for the balance board walkway from plywood,
wood glue, and nails. The device may also include walkway ramps, so that
patients who cannot make the step up onto the balance boards 3 can use
the device. The balance boards 3 are then placed inside the walkway,
along with rectangular plexiglass coverings to bridge the gaps between
the boards 3. Foam filler may, if needed, be placed between the
plexiglass sheets to fill in the gaps between them without transmitting
forces to the adjacent board 3. Each board 3 is loaded with a plug in
battery pack, as opposed to double A batteries, so that the device does
not have to be disassembled when batteries die. The bottom of the housing
may, in some implementations, include access ports, so that the user may
reach the Bluetooth "sync" button without disassembling the walkway. The
signal from the balance boards 3 is connected to a PC 4 running the
diagnostic interface using a seven signal Bluetooth USB adapter. This
adapter collects each signal as a separate input.

[0020] In this implementation the vertical bars of the handrail structure
are attached to the walkway at either end of the walkway on each side,
where they slide into a casing. This casing includes round pipe sections
where the vertical handrail bars are placed, as well as reinforcement
running underneath the walkway to the other handrail supports. The
handrail force sensors 1 are attached to the top of the vertical handrail
bars. The sensors 1 include four load cells, as well as a round holder
for the horizontal bar of the structure (to which the patient holds on
during use). This holder maintains appropriate contact with the load
cells so that the handrails may be assembled and disassembled without
having to reassemble the handrail sensor box. The signals from the
handrail sensors 1 are wired to the 9219 DAQ cards, sitting next to the
walkway. These cards are connected via USB to the PC 4 running the
diagnostic interface.

[0021] In certain of the embodiments discussed herein, the balance boards
3 used may provide less accurate measurement than more expensive force
plates. The balance boards 3, however, may provide a sufficiently
accurate representation of a user's center of balance to provide the
desired assessment and feedback. One way to improve accuracy of the
system, if desired, may be to use the handrail sensor portion of the
system in conjunction with a force plate for robust balance testing.
However, to the extent that the device is used to provide a way for
patients to practice independent balance while discouraging reliance on
walking aids, this modification may not be needed as any limitation in
accuracy should not hinder the effectiveness of the device.

[0022] As will be appreciated, the preceding describes certain specific
embodiments to illustrate approaches that may be employed. However, the
above discussion is not intended to limit the design of the contemplated
device and variations to the design could include alterations to either
the walkway or handrail sensors. Similarly, different kinds of load cell
schemes could be developed for the walkway center-of-balance measurement.
Variations to the handrails could include any number of different load
cell designs measuring forces in three directions, as well as a
stand-alone handrail measurement system to be used with a more accurate
force plate measurement system or an infrared camera motion detection
system.

[0023] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,
including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art
to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or
systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of
the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples
that occur to those skilled in the art, including combinations of aspects
or features of the embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Such other
examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have
structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the
claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with
insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. The
specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example,
and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to
various modifications and alternative forms, including combinations of
various features and aspects of the examples or embodiments discussed
herein. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended
to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit
and scope of this disclosure.